Brizé's Latest Workplace Drama Falls Flat Despite Rohrwacher's Commitment
The film follows a workaholic HR manager who willingly sacrifices her personality for her job. It premiered in Venice's main competition but critics find it a lukewarm anti-corporate critique. The movie lacks the punch needed to elevate its familiar themes.
The narrative centers on Carla Moretti, an HR manager whose dedication to her corporate role in a modern Parisian district leads her to voluntarily strip away her own individuality. Director Stéphane Brizé presents this as a deliberate choice rather than forced exploitation, contrasting with typical French labor stereotypes.
This marks Brizé's fourth entry into the Venice Film Festival's main competition. While the film tackles familiar anti-corporate themes, critic Beatrice Loayza notes that the execution lacks the necessary intensity, resulting in a muted reception despite Rohrwacher's committed performance.
The film's lukewarm reception could influence how audiences perceive workplace dramas, potentially signaling a fatigue with straightforward anti-corporate narratives. Viewers who relate to the pressures of modern employment may find the portrayal of voluntary self-erasure unsettling, yet the lack of critical punch might limit its broader cultural resonance. It could also affect Brizé's standing among festival-goers, though Rohrwacher's performance may still attract niche attention.